Cover: ‘Sunflower’ by Joy VincentGot a digital camera? Then you could be an Alert photographer. Just send us yourphotos and we’ll print our favourites. If you phone does camera art then send us somesamples. We might even put your work on our front page - instant fame!

Phone Camera Art

Chris & Roz 35 years married

Congratulations!

Readers at the Shakey

Mayor visits revamped playground

NMB ReportThe latest meeting of Braunstone NeighbourhoodManagement Board (BNMB) discussed the followingtopics;Speeding on Braunstone Avenue – Flashingadvisory signs are not yet in place. There is no updatebut explorations still ongoing. Councillor Naylorsuggested a possibility of asking for a pedestriancrossing.Gooding Avenue, Hinckley Road update –Transport and Highways carried out a survey. Updateat next meetingMini Moto’s – Speeding on the Park and Highways,JAG and Councillor Naylor looking into it, update atnext meeting.Braunstone Park – Arson on Braunstone Park wasdiscussed at the J.A.G meeting. Situation is underreview.Hockley Farm Road and Health Centre Parking –Staff are aware of parking problems and are trying toaddress them. The need for more parking spaces forpatients was raised at the Patients Participation Group(PPG) They are having problems with members of thepublic parking in staff and disabled parking spaces. Anumber of suggestions were made, e.g. drop kerbs,making the grounds between the Health Centre andSandyhurst Residential home into a car park. Updateat next meeting.Imperial Avenue and Gutheridge Crescent – Thereis a parking issue outside the housing department onthe corner of Imperial Avenue and GutheridgeCrescent. This causes problems for buses. Issue tobe raised with City WardenHockley Farm Medical Centre – still problems withDNA’s (Did Not Attend). 1st DNA letter will be sent topatients. 2nd DNA letter will be sent to patient. 3rd DNAa letter will be sent to patients telling them they couldbe taken off the list.Police – It was noted that there hasn’t been a policepresence on the board for a while. We are waiting forthe new sergeant to be appointed and their start dateto be confirmed.Fly Tipping – Riverside Housing reported fly tippingin Burnell Road. Passing on to Noel the City Warden.Neighbourhood Action Plan – Re Older People’sConsultation, there are discussions started aboutpiloting some information events for older people.Help for Pupils - Fullhurst has established a hardshipfund to provide School uniforms and P.E. equipment

Network NewsThe Residents Network continues to meet to discuss

issues or problems we have heard. Where possible wetry to deal with things or contact the people who can help.Working with the Neighbourhood Support Team we can oftenprovide good information and even help with the research todefine the problems better. Where we can’t do anything, wereport the matter direct to the Neighbourhood ManagementBoard.Recently, we discussed the vandalism to our superbequipment on the Park. What a shame people won’t be ableto use most of it during the holidays.We also spoke of trees being set fire to, some of these treesare over a hundred years old and have a lot of character, andburning them is very dangerous to anyone nearby.Another concern is about metal detecting. We know it’s greatfun, but it’s illegal to do it on public parks, because of thedamage the digging causes.There is still speeding on Gooding Avenue and BraunstoneAvenue. Mini-Moto’s speed here and on the Park. TheNeighbourhood Board and police are dealing with the matter.We discussed setting up a Friends of Braunstone Park group.We would like to help with this as we think that much can beachieved once it is up and running.At our last meeting we discussed parking issues aroundGooding Avenue /Blessed Sacrament island. We’ll let youknow more as things developOur fundraising is still ongoing. We have a quiz night on thethird Thursday of each month at the Shakespeare Inn,Braunstone Lane. The next one is 7.30 pm 15th September.Everyone is welcome to a fantastic sociable evening. Join usto support local community events while having some fun.

Free Computer LessonsThe Internet is everywhere and these days more and morepeople use it. There are still many people who don’t knowhow to. If you are in that category then help is at hand.Braunstone Library at the BRITE Centrehas free courses for absolute beginners.The length of the course is flexible andyou can join up at any time. The lessonsare delivered by a nationwidescheme, UK Online, to give you theskills and confidence to usecomputers to access the Internet.UK Online aims to get one million more people online by2013, to improve individual lives, strengthen communitiesand achieve social inclusion. To become one of the million,just drop into Braunstone Library and sign up.

What’s Up Doc?We heard some news from Leanne Fowkes, Medical

Secretary at the Hockley Farm Practice. She told us,“GP Practices nationwide are updating their computerisedPatient Appointment System and here at the Hockley FarmPractice, it is almost our turn to join in.  We will be movingover to the new system (SystmOne) in September.”There is a great deal of work involved in the change over andstaff are working hard to ensure it is a success. For a shortperiod, from 15th to 22nd September the practice will beunable to issue repeat prescriptions, however there arealternative arrangements.Leanne said, “To ensure our patients have the medicationthey require they should submit a request for their repeatprescriptions by Tuesday September 13th.  We will makeevery effort to ensure they have the medication they need.Emergency medication requirements will be managed by thepractice, though we hope that this prior notice means thatemergency prescription requests will be kept to a minimum.”The new system will be in operation from 21st September.For the first few days staff will be training so things may bea little slower than usual. After that the practice will have amore efficient system.Leanne added, “We ask for your patience and understandingduring the first few days and we will display more informationin and around the Practice nearer the time to remind you ofthese changes.”

New BusinessAnew business has started up in Braunstone specialising

in slabbing, fencing, hedge trimming and garden tidying.Resident, Shaun Charles spoke to us about his venture. “I’vealways done this kind of work. I worked for a firm and whenthe boss retired I wanted to carry on, but decided to give ita go on my own. I have plenty of experience and got supportthrough the Enterprise as a Life at Business Box andadvertising from the Alert. My partner Gail, helps me by doingthe bookkeeping side of things.”Things are going well for Shaun at the minute. He said, “Ihope I can keep going as I am for a while , but in the futureI’d love to be able to expand it into a bigger family business.”Sam Larke, from Enterprise for a Life, told us, “When Gailand Shaun contacted us, they had all the practical knowledgeto start trading. But they needed to know how to start, runand manage a business. With our help and the assistanceof an external business coach, Gail has developed new skillsand can manage the business behind the scenes whilstShaun goes out and does the work. Together they make angreat team. They are an excellent example of how to dothings the right way and in the right order.”

Contact Shaun on 0116 233 6656 or 079032 500 276

Cool 4 schoolWe heard that the school council at Braunstone

Community Primary School were doing someinteresting things to try to improve the lateness andattendance at their school.The school council is made up of children from differentyear groups and they come up with great ideas tomaintain and improve their school. At the moment theyare working with Mrs Prasher the school councilco-ordinator and Mrs Lyons a foundation stage teacherto make a film about how family life and life styles canaffect a child’s performance at school.The film will show two families who have differentapproaches to bedtime and how this can affect a child'sschool day. Mr Proud the school head teacher explains,“The school council are hoping to raise awarenessaround lateness and attendance and how late nightsat home and not having enough sleep can affect achild’s learning and participation at school. I am veryproud of what the school council is doing. We want ourchildren to enjoy school and get the best out of theirtime with us, they need to be alert and have energy todo things. It’s an important massage that this film willsupport”.They have also been working hard on keeping theschool clean and they aim to expand their clean upsby getting other children involved from the school andallocating areas so they can cover more ground. The school council are also looking at all the differentlanguages that are now spoken in the school and aredeveloping a international school council. Mrs Prashersaid “The council gives the children the opportunity tobe involved in organising and leading activities thathave a positive impact on all the children at our school.Well done to all involved… and well done to staff andpupils for achieving National Average SATs results,another big step forward!

Advertise HereDid you know that the Alert is the widest read

publication in Braunstone? We put out over 2,500copies all over the estate and we post it on-line throughFacebook and Twitter. You can take advantage of ourdedicated following by advertising in the Alert. We cando some free promotions for community groups and wealways set aside space for local business adverts. Thiscan cost as little as £25 for a small back page ad. Wecan provide quarter, half and full page ads starting at£50 plus vat. It’s cheaper and more effective than usingfliers and posters. Space is limited, so if you want togive it a try call soon 0116 223 2256.

Still the A -Team!Busy Braunstone volunteer, Joy Vincent wrote “Well

we’ve finished our course on how to produce theBraunstone Alert that was funded by LASALS. Thecourse was a real eye opener for us all. We learned newthings all the way through. We all got better at takingphotos and doing interviews and writing articles”.

“We learned how to be more confident using computersand now we know how to use the programme to producethe Alert. That involves editing our stories and photosand making it all look good. We all really enjoyed thecourse; it was not just about the magazine but also aboutcommunicating with others and listening to them andlearning more about working within our own community”.

The training has finished and the real work has started!We still have lots to learn but we keep getting better. It’sgood that all of us who started training are still here asthe Alert volunteers. We have become good friends,helping each other and sharing our different skills andknowledge. We will keep working with the team and weaim to keep the Alert going as longas possible. We’restill the A Teamand we willsucceed!

Our Secret GardenWe heard that they were putting new bedding plants

in the secret walled garden at Braunstone Hall, sowe decided to drop by, how beautiful it looked too; it wasso peaceful and quiet, we could have stayed there all day.Parks Manager Anita Robinson told us a few of the thingsthat go on in the garden, she said “We have Brass Bandsthat play here three times a year. Sometimes the RatbyYouth Co-operative Band other times it’s the HathernConcert Brass Band. When the weather is nice people willcome and have picnics here, staff from Hockley FarmMedical Centre sometimes drop in and have their lunch.”Throughout the summer months activities include SureStart having their Teddy Bears Picnic.

There is an Art group thatmeets on Friday morningsin the Stable Block from10.00 am to 12 noon. It isopen to anyone who likesto paint or sketch andwelcomes people of allabilities. Participants can

either bring their own materialsor pay a small fee to have them provided.“We have a walking group that comes together on aregular basis, usually on Mondays from 10.30 am to 12noon. Their walks are local and last between an hour andninety minutes. Occasionally the group travels further togo on trips. Members welcome anyone who wants to jointhem for a walk. We also have the ‘Parkrun’ on Saturdaymornings starting from the Stable Block.; you have toregister for that though”.We noticed there is a memorial stone in the secret gardenin memory of the 82nd

Airborne Division who werestationed there during theSecond World War.A lovely Summer Housestands to the right of thegarden Anita said “Wedon’t open it now due tovandalism.”The garden hasn’t always looked like it does today, whenthe Winstanley’s lived at Braunstone Hall they split it intovegetable patches”.Braunstone resident, Jim comes in regularly to look afterthis beautiful garden and he welcomes anyone else whowants to volunteer their time to help.The public can visit the walled garden from 8.00 am to4.00 pm Monday to Friday providing staff are on site. Dogo along and relax in this beautiful, idyllic place.

The Big DrawMandeep Dhalladia was well up for her ‘Find Your

Talent ‘and ‘Braunstone’s Beacon’ programmes atSt. Peter’s Millennium Hall. She used local surroundingsand nature to inspire children and young people to be morecreative, through art. Now using the skills she developedhere, Mandeep brings creativity to people across the EastMidlands through her ‘Art Tracks’ initiative.The Big Draw is an arts project for children and adults ofall abilities. Mandeep said, “The idea is for everyone towork together to make one big drawing. We will use LCCNatural Life collection to spark off ideas. The collectionshows the artistic skill of early naturalists who had to drawtheir illustrations by hand. We will learn how to do paperetching, study the colour of wildlife and nature and buildthem all into one big work of art.”“We aim to run workshops in many different mediumsduring October and want to find a good venue inBraunstone. If anyone can help with that please contactme. We will have creative workshops for all ages, wherewe can combine creative arts with heritage, wildlife and

nature as inspiration.”Find out more from

Mandeep 07792 211 938www.art-tracks.co.uk

We’re giving a well deserved Alert award to theBlessed Sacrament Friday Pop In. One volunteer

said, “We started in 1998. The idea was to run until theMillennium and to raise £20,000.”Thirteen years on the ‘Pop In’ is still going strong.Volunteers provide affordable drinks and snacks to themany residents who turn up each week. The attractionsinclude nearly new clothes, baby goods, householdgoods, toys books and records.This means people are getting what they need at verylow cost and help to raise funds. To date the event hasraised over £150,000 providing support to overseascharities and local good works. The Pop In is alwayslooking for goods to sell, so if you can help, call in toBlessed Sacrament Church Hall at 10.00 am weekly.

Shoe String ShowOne very creative fundraising idea is the Shoe String

Fashion Extravaganza. We talked to local fashiondesigner Cheryl Leadbetter about the concept. “The idea isto put on a huge fashion show to support local fundraisingefforts. We will use local people as models and the behind-the-scene staff, designing and putting the costumes togetherand make everything work on the day.On the catwalk we will model a range of costumes for thefour seasons. There is an added twist to this tale… all theclothes and costumes have come from donations fromBraunstone residents.”Originally the Residents Network sold the donations at theRail Sale or weighed them in as rags. Cheryl and co-conspirators Lucie Trigg and Ali Gamble, noticed that someof the cast-offs fitted together very nicely and started tosalvage them.“It’s hard work but they have put together lots of costumesfor the show. The idea is to raise cash but also to show how,with a bit of imagination, you can put together a really stylishwardrobe on a shoe string budget.”Cheryl, who runs her own fashion business ‘Povric’ says sheis putting so much effort into this because her mum lives inBraunstone and she wants to do her bit for the community.Cheryl has had lots of success as an independent fashiondesigner and has high hopes for the show. She says, “Apartfrom the fundraising aspect, we want the Shoe String FashionExtravaganza to be a great day out for people. We will bedisplaying old clothing that has been re-vamped and broughtback to life. We do this through customisation and usingaccessories to give people ideas of how they can re-use whatthey already have..”There will be a clothes and accessories Swap-Shop, minimake-overs, henna ,cosmetics and jewellery stalls as wellas clothes on sale. There will be something for everyone.Adding to the glamour will be a professional photo-shootorganised by Ian Davies. He has recruited top photographerNick Rawle to capture the elegance of the event.Organisers thank the Premier Inn, Narborough Road, whichwill be hosting The Shoe String Fashion Extravaganza.

The event runs from 10.00 am - 4.00 pmon Saturday 22nd October. Tickets

cost £3 on the door .

For more information or to getinvolved find us on face book‘Braunstone Residents Network

Group’Call 0116 223 2256

email ali.gamble@b-inspired.org.uk.

Rail SaleOn the other side of Braunstone, volunteers are also

selling clothes, bric-a brac and other goods to raisefunds. Members of the Resident Network hold their RailSale one afternoon a week to support community eventsin Braunstone. They guarantee plenty of bargains anda friendly welcome, so why not check it out at 45Wellinger Way from 2.30 - 4.00 pm on Wednesdays. Letthem know if you have any items you can donate.

FundraisingThe ongoing work to raise funds for Braunstone

community events has shown some excellent results.A report from b-inspired’s Angie Wright shows thatfundraising efforts have netted £14,000 in six monthsfrom the start of February this year.The income includes over £4,000 in fees at Carnival,over £5,000 in grant applications, nearly £4,500 infundraising activities and over £2,500 in sponsorshipsand donations. Our fundraising work will continue in anumber of ways.� Collection boxes at local venues� Quiz Night 3rd Thursday of each month� Race Night at West End WMC 25th November� Shoe String Fashion Show 22nd October� Old Clothing and Rag Weigh-in� Rail Sale every Wednesday

To improve our success rate, we now have a fund raisingstrategy that has been agreed by the Residents’ NetworkCommittee and is going to the Braunstone Foundationfor ratification. If you want to help or have goodfundraising ideas, then get in touch.

Call 0116 223 2256email anne.short@b-inspired.org.uk

Green & Clean

PET

Bulk Collections 0116 252 7002Report Dog Fouling 0116 252 7001Report Fly Tipping 0116 252 7001Report Graffiti 0116 225 3839

BRITE Centre Customer Desk 0116 252 7000

Useful Numbers!

Bulky Items RemovalWe’ve been asked to repeat a useful message to

residents in the Six Streets.LHA-ASRA has advised that they are no longercollecting larger items of household rubbish.If anyone in the area needs large items removed theyshould contact the city Bulk Collections.This service is to remove such items as furniture, beds,mattresses. You are entitled to one free collection of upto five bulky items every two months.Also you can have up to 15 items of garden wasteremoved every two months.The end of LHA -ASRA rubbish collections also meansthat Six Streets residents should no longer leaverubbish outside on the pavement. The City Warden sayspeople should avoid being spot fined by keeping theirbig items of rubbish on their property until they havearranged a bulk collection.The number to ring to have your bulky items removedis in the box on the left.

Clean Up BraunstoneClean up Braunstone has announced that Tuesday 25th

October will be the next clean up day. This is part of theNational Campaign ‘Make a Difference Day’, as well as thecommunity and other sectors there will be volunteers fromBritish Gas. Everyone will meet at the Park lodge at 9.30 amand the action starts at 10.00 am.We will be concentrating round the woodlands area behind theGrove and along the brook as far as the ponds.If you want to join us in looking after Braunstone’s environmentthen do come along! It’s free and fun, and afterwards there willbe tasty refreshments served to all the volunteers.

Thursday 22nd September 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm

Everards Brewery would like to invite members of the Braunstonecommunity to come along to the Shakespeare and share your views andopinions about the pub and its future.

We are committed to making substantial improvements to the pub, butneed to know what you want from your local. So why don’t you join us atthe Shakespeare, and tell us what you think?

Call 0800 056 4111 to find out more.We look forward to seeing you on Thursday 22nd September.

The Shakespeare, Braunstone Lane, Braunstone, LE3 3AS

Open Evening

Your Local Pub Needs You!

Awards ReminderThis is the last chance we have to remind you of this

year’s Braunstone Awards. This is your chance tonominate anyone you think has made a positivecontribution to the Braunstone community in one of fivecategories;� Services to the Community� Good Neighbours and Carers� Work with Young People� Overcoming Difficulties� Workers in the Community

As ever we’ll be holding the Awards at West End WMCon Thursday 10th November. Everyone will be given thered carpet treatment as we celebrate the achievementsof local volunteers and staff.If there’s someone you think deserves a BraunstoneAward, just fill in a simple nomination form and drop itback to us. Call into 45 Wellinger Way to pick up yourform. If you want, we can send you one by email, andyou can send the completed form to:

anne.short@b-inspired.org.ukYou can also see a copy of the form on our BraunstoneResidents’ Network facebook page. You can simply printit off, fill it in and send it to us.We will be around the area with nomination forms so youcan stop us and fill one in there and then!

BonfireHere’s another reminder! Braunstone’s community

firework display and bonfire will take place on Friday4th November.As usual, we expect a huge turn-out to this very popularevent. There will be refreshments available from theBraunstone OAK Centre to set you up for the evening.The fun starts with the lighting of the fire at 6.00 pm and

the display kicks off at6.50 pm.

This year we will behaving collectionbuckets as part ofour efforts to keepcommunity events

going strong inBraunstone. Pleasedrop any loosechange into the

collection buckets…every little helps and if

everyone gives a little we’llhave lots!

Hall NewsTwo local campaigning groups had the opportunity to view

the inside of Braunstone Hall. Lee Clarke, from RestoreBraunstone Hall told us, “It feltfantastic to be allowed to goinside the hall and look aroundthe place again after all theseyears, but at the same time it alsomade me feel sad, angry andfrustrated when looking at thestate it is now in.”Dorian Gamble from Friends of Braunstone Hall said “Insidethe Hall you could tell that safety work had been done tokeep the damp and rot at bay. There were floor boards andplaster removed but this had to be done so visitors andworkers were in a safe environment. These will be replacedin time. Looking at the walls without plaster you could seethe bones of the Hall. Strong, proud and ready for the next

owner to take over.”While there have been delaysin selecting a developer for theHall, Leicester City Councilhopes to announce the winningscheme in Autumn. We all lookforward to that announcement.

Sunflower’s Neighbourhood Nursery gives your little onesthe best possible start in life. Our newly refurbished roomsand dedicated team of qualified staff mean your little one

can flourish and grow in a safe, stimulating and caringenvironment. Whether your child is a baby seedling (12

weeks – 1year), seedling (1 – 2 years), sprout (2 – 3 years)or flower (3 – 5 years), our carefully planned sessions

mean your little ones will learn as they play in a state ofthe art nursery described by OFSTED as ‘Outstanding’.

We also offer:

Freshly cooked, healthy meals

Qualified professional staff

Full and part times sessions

Indoor and outdoor play areas

Early bird sessions from 7am

Open during school holidays

Newly refurbished rooms

For more information or tobring your little one for a tastersession, call us today:

0116 255 9258Braunstone Childcare Co-operative LimitedSunflowers Neighbourhood NurseryBraunstone Leisure Centre Complex2 Hamelin Road, Braunstone,Leicester, LE3 1JN

We still need stewards for crowdsafety, so if you can help for a coupleof hours on the night, please contactTracy or Lisa 0116 279 5150tracy@gold-events.co.uk

But Also…The Surestart Uniform Exchange scheme is not the

only one aiming to help out Braunstone Families.We heard on our trusty grapevine that two localschools will soon be operating similar programmes.One will be at Caldecote School. Here staff andvolunteers will operate a scheme to collect andredistribute uniforms.The other will operate at Fullhurst CommunityCollege. Again the idea is to recycle old schooluniforms that would otherwise be laying in a wardrobeor even dumped.

What all three have incommon is that theyhelp people to help

others. Some people willget the school clothesthey need and others willregain valuable storagespace!

Aside from that,everyone knows thatrecycling is good forthe environment.Because of the

summer holidays we couldn’t get any fuller detailsabout the school schemes, so you could also get firsthand details by calling in when they open inSeptember. Also we will try to provide moreinformation in the next edition - look out for it!

Free SpaceHave you got something to shout about; a project to

promote; ideas or information to spread; art to display? Ifyou have, then here’s the very thing for you.Braunstone Health and Social Care Centre , hasspace in the foyer and is offering it free of chargeto local community groups and projects.Karen Elliot from the centre is keen to see thespace used. She wrote to us “The Centre is openMonday to Friday from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. We

have a useable foyer area that measures 10ft x 15ft. If youwould like to use this space please call me on 0116 295 3305.”

Old School Uniforms?Not Only…

Get In EarlyThere’s always competition for space in the Alert and as soonwe print one edition we start on the next. If you want a storyto be considered for inclusion, it must be about somethingforthcoming or on-going and must showcase or promote thingsthat are important to community life in Braunstone. Thedeadline for submissions for the next edition is Friday 14thOctober, but avoid disappointment by contacting us now.

�

Braunstone Awards 2011Do you know someone who deserves a Braunstone Award?

If so, then just fill in the form below and return it to the NeighbourhoodSupport Team at 45 Wellinger Way, Braunstone, LE3 1RG. Alternatively, you

can email anne.short@b-inspired.org.uk.

Who are you nominating?

Tell us their contact details so wecan invite them to the Awards.

Address:

Postcode:

Telephone:

Email:

Why do you think this person deserves a Braunstone Award? You can tell usthings like; How long they have lived or worked in Braunstone; what they dothat is good for others; where they work or volunteer; what kind of people

they help; what their is personality like; what others think about them.

What is your name?

Tell us your contact details, sowe can invite you to the Awards.

Address:

Postcode:

Telephone:

Email:

Services to the Community: Volunteers forcommunity events, environment and clean upcampaigns, fundraising, charity work, runningcommunity groups

Good Neighbours and Carers: Looking after disabled,elderly or needy neighbours, babysitting or childcare forneighbours, doing errands, helping others through troubles

Work with Young People: School volunteers,running sports teams, organising music/dance groups,volunteering in youth or play activities, holidays & trips

Overcoming Difficulties: People succeedingagainst the odds, contributing to community in spite ofillness/hardship, inspiring others to cope with hardship

Workers in the Community: doctors, police, teachers,bus drivers, youth or community workers, housing staff -any paid staff who are doing a good job for Braunstone

The Categories Tickone

Thanks for your nomination

COUNCILLORS’ INFO

Phone: 0116 291 4993 Fax: 0116 229 8850Email: anne.glover@leicester.gov.uk

Phone: 07890 564 696 Fax: 0116 229 8850Email: michael.cooke@leicester.gov.uk

Phone: 07890 564 709 Fax: 0116 229 8850Email: wayne.naylor@leicester.gov.uk

Make ChangeChildren and young people across the city are set to benefit from a new scheme developed by two Braunstone

residents. Long term friends, Jay Popat and Lee Jobber are known in the area for their work on sports and youthprogrammes, both as paid workers and as volunteers. We’d heard some buzz that the two were involved in a newyouth project and were keen to hear more. Jay dropped in to give us the full story. He said, “We are setting up a charitycalled Make Change to help under sixteen’s in Leicester. We want to raise funds to help young people get somethingthey need to make a change in their lives. It could be someone who needs a bike to make it easier to visit friends, orsomeone who wants a track suit to take up sport, a course to get back into education - anything that helps them makechange.”Jay and Lee were partly inspired by the way communities come together in adversity. Jay said “We wanted to try otherways of bringing people together and helping to make change. We are looking to bring together sponsors from theprivate sectors, local agencies and volunteers to help us build a pot of money to buy things that young people need.People up to the age of 25 can make change by joining our volunteer team to raise the funds for the under 16’s.”The tireless twosome established Make Change in February 2011 and have not let the grass grow under their feet.“We organised a charity bike ride, recruited lots of supporters and volunteers, applied for charitable status and organiseda music festival at Fullhurst Community College. We’d never done anything like this before and the Fullhurst staff teamhave been really supportive and helpful. The idea was to provide a great musical experience from the top bands inLeicester, for just a tenner…and all of that money going to charity!”Now they are looking for more sponsors and people to join the charity panel. “We want people who can help with moneyand people with appropriate skills on the panel to help run Make Change. In October we aim to have a two weeknomination period where people can tell us who we should help. We won’t hand out money, instead we’ll buy the goodsfor the people who get nominated. I want us to raise £10,000 and help maybe 100 young people…but this yearsactivities are just the ‘ripple’ to get us established. We want Make Change to make a real big impact in 2012!”

‘Make Change’ Call Jay on 07988 700 415 or e-mail jaypopat80@hotmail.com

ClockwiseOur last edition had a story about Clockwise Credit

Union, but we didn’t tell you what the photograph wasabout. (Doh!) So here it isagain!Pictured is the winner of therecent ‘I love Clockwise’competition, Braunstoneresident Cherie Lewin (left).Cherie received a £500cheque from Jackie White.Competitions - Another good reason to join Clockwise!The Braunstone branch of your credit union is basedat B Mac, Gallards Hill. Opening hours

Tuesdays 10.00 am - 2.00 pmWednesdays 11.00 am - 1.00 pm

Jackie told us, “The latest news is that you can nowjoin Clockwise on-line and if you’re already a memberyou can make your loan applications on line. Just checkout our website.”Phone: 0116 242 3900Email: enquiries@clockwise-cu.co.ukWebsite: www.clockwise-cu.co.uk

Estate Inpections Latest HistoryBraunstone History Group has several activities in the

offing. They are joining a BBC Reel History of Britainevent in Leicester (details on back back page).This willfeature old film footage and a Memory Wall where youcan add things that you remember.On Tuesday 4th October at the BRITE Library the groupwill show an old film about Imperial Avenue School.Helen Catterwell told us, “We’ll be there at our usualmeeting time 10 am - 12 noon, running the film andtalking to people about their memories. We can recordwhat they say or write down small things that have stuckwith them over the years.”As an example Helen told us one of her abidingmemories. “I hated school milk! When they left it outsidein the warm I thought it tasted horrible but you had todrink it! At milk time I sat next to my twin brother whowould drink his milk quickly and then we swappedbottles. I still don’t drink the stuff!” So, if you have anyhistory to share or want to join the group they will bemore than pleased to see you. Members pay a £1 subto cover the cost of drinks and biscuits and regularlyorganise trips to places of historic interest.More grisly, but fascinating is the talk by author BenBeazley on Tuesday 13th September 10.00 am - 12noon, also at the library. In ‘Bygone Leicester Murders’Ben will talk about notorious murders between mid1800s and 1950s. Don’t miss it!

Jason AddisonWednesday 14th September - Inspection coversBlackmore Drive, Bennetts Walk, Galsworthy Court,Gaskell Walk, Ainsworth Walk, Dickens Court,Buchan Walk, Walpole Court, Lawrence Walk,Chesterton Walk. Starts 10.00 am prompt fromthe layby in Hamelin RoadWednesday 12th October - Inspection coversGuthridge Crescent, Astley Close, Digby Close,Harlaxton Street, Imperial Avenue and Winton Avenue.Starts 10.00 am prompt from corner of Harlaxton Street

Kerry SullivanWednesday 14th September – Inspection covers CortCrescent. Starts 10.00 am prompt outside No. 1 Cort Crescent.

Wednesday 12th October – Inspectioncovers Corfield Rise, Edale Close,Raven Road, Linacres Road. Starts10.00 am prompt outside No.1 CorfieldRise.

Melanie OsborneTuesday 6th September - Inspection covers HallamCrescent East 2 to 66 & 7 to 87, Bainbridge Road,Curteys Close, Audley End, BonvillePlace. Starts 10.00 am prompt outsideNo.2 Hallam Crescent EastWednesday 5th October - Inspectioncovers Beaufort Road, Wyville Row,Caldecote Road. Starts 10.00 am prompt outside No. 2Beaufort Road

Sally FranklynWednesday 14th September - Inspectioncovers Hockley Farm Road, Wyatts Close.Starts 10.00 am prompt outside No. 1 HockleyFarm RoadWednesday 12th October - Inspectioncovers Bendbow Rise, Cowdall Road. Starts 10.00 amprompt outside No. 2 Bendbow Rise.

Let’s Do LunchWe at Mazzie’ Cafe invite you to our new lunch club

starting on Friday 30th Septmber 2011.Braunstone’s newest lunch club is at the BRITE Centrein the main hall and will be open from 12 noon - 2.00 pmevery Friday, with lunch being served at 12.30 pm.We will serve affordable, delicious, homemade mealsusing fresh produce in every dish making them healthyas well as tasty.So, for the price of £4 (or £2 for children’s meals) youcan have a main course, desert and a refreshing drinkto wash it all down with. Maz says “We are really excited by this. Every one iswelcome; we look forward to seeing you there and wehope you enjoy our home cooking. The main course willbe roast pork or roast beef (vegetarian option available)with all the trimmings followed by a delicious applecrumble with custard or ice cream. Any one who wantsto book a meal needs to contact us at least two daysbefore but we do recommend booking early as placesare limited. You can book your place by calling intoMazzie’s Cafe or call us on 07941 997 238.”

Darlene AhmedWednesday 12th October - Inspection covers OverparkAve, Erdyngton Road, Camville Road,Rose Farm Close. Starts 10.00 amprompt outside No.1 Erdyngton RoadWednesday 9th NovemberInspection covers Gooding Avenue,Gooding Close. Starts 10.00 prompt United ReformChurch, Gooding Avenue

What’s OnMonday:10.00 am - 11.30 am 50+ Aqua Fit, Leisure Centre10.30 am - 12.00 pm Let’s Walk Braunstone, Stable Block, Braunstone Park11.30 am - 12.30 pm Healthy Eating Group Hockley Farm Health Centre2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Golden Years Group (Bingo!) Blessed Sacrament Church2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Indoor Bowling Trinity Church, Hallam Crescent6.00 pm - 9.00 pm Bingo, Cort Crescent Community CentreTuesday:9:30 am - 12.30 pm Citizens Advice Bureau, (appointment)

Braunstone Civic Centre10.00 am - 12.00 pm Braunstone History Group BRITE Centre - Library Braunstone Avenue2.30 pm Friendship Club,

Trinity Methodist ChurchWednesday:10.15 am - 11.15am Coffee and Chat at St Peters Church, Woodshawe Rise. Call Rev. Chris Burch, 0116 282 50341.45 pm - 3.30 pm Over 60’s Friendship Club West End Working Men’s Club2.30 pm - 4.00pm Rail Sale - Nearly new and bric-a-brac

45 Wellinger Way3.00 pm - 5.00 pm Friendship Club Trinity Methodist Church Hallam Crescent3.30 pm - 6.00 pm Family Group, The Oak Centre6.00 pm - 8.00 pm 40+ Club, Oak Centre, Bendbow RiseThursday:12.00 pm - 3.00 pm Women of Wisdom (WOW) Group Contact Eileen on 07769 315 18412.00 pm - 1.30 pm Lunch Club - Trinity Church Call Marilyn, 0116 289 21821.00 pm - 3.00 pm Knit & Natter, BRITE Centre Library3.30 pm - 6.00 pm Family Allotment, Rancliffe AllotmentsFriday:10.00 am - 12.00 pm Friday Pop-in, Snacks, nearly new sale, & bric-a-brac

Blessed Sacrament ChurchGooding Avenue

10.00 am - 12.00 pm Art Club - Visitors CentreThe Stable Block, Braunstone Park

10.00 am - 1.00 pm Sew ‘n’ So’s Needlecraft Group The Oak Centre, Bendbow Rise12.00 pm - 1.30 pm Bingo Cort Crescent Community Centre6.00 pm - 9.00 pm Bingo Bonanza Cort Crescent C.C. Last Friday of each monthSaturday:9.00 am ParkRun, Stable Block Braunstone Park (You need to register first at

www.parkrun.org.uk/braunstone)

In the SpotlightHeather Dunlop moved to Braunstone from Oakham

in February, with her partner Graham and son,Ash. On arrival she took over therunning of the Shakespeare Inn,on Braunstone Lane.Heather said, “ I love it here inBraunstone, I have met so manylovely polite and friendly people.I am already getting very involvedwith the community spirit andgive free use of the bar everymonth for a fund raising quiz night .I am only to pleasedto help out when and where I can - after all its for thecommunity.”What’s your idea of a good night out?Love to have the timeA good night in?A good film and lots of chocolateWhat animal would you be?A birdWhat is your pet hate?Bad mannersWhat was the last book that you read?Harry PotterWhat is your favourite film?Pretty Women, Inn of the Sixth Happiness, KillingFields ( it’s a true story)What do you love about Braunstone?Meeting nice people and seeing friendly faces.What words would people use to describe you?Fun loving and a practical joker.What’s the furthest you’ve ever been from home?CaribbeanWhat’s your ideal holiday?Peace, quiet and sunshineWho is your best friend?Graham, my partnerWhat’s your most attractive quality...Being happy...and your least attractive?My loud mouth!Have you a claim to fame?I met Sue Johnston from the Royal Family when Iwas working in a London hotel.If we made a movie about your life, who wouldplay you?Miss Whiplash!Do you have a wish for Braunstone?To get Braunstone crime free.How do you want to be remembered?As part of the community

DearWasp Warning

Dear AlertAre you having problems with wasps nests in your loft orguttering - if so call in the right people! My neighbour witha four week old baby, had a nest in her chimney breastand decided to get help from the council. She was told toboard the fire place up and leave them and they woulddie off come September. A few days later I noticed therewere a lot of Wasps hovering around my guttering andgable end of my roof. Further investigations showed theywere actually making there way through my bathroomceiling, they had eaten their way through the plaster board.We called in a private company who gave us differentadvice. He said “You don’t leave them as they will comeback to that nest the following year whoever told you thatwas wrong, anyway he informed me that I had two reallybig nests and it would be dangerous if they came throughinto the bathroom, within a couple of hours of him treatingthem they had gone and it didn’t cost the earth. I gave myneighbour his card so she could get in touch. He got ridof the wasps within a couple of hours of him being there,she was rid of them she was so pleased. I am concernedthat the council information appeared to be wrong.

A Resident

Alert On-line. Read all our editions of the Alert on-line. Justtype the link into your web address bar to view our library of Alertsand other Braunstone focused publications. Send the link to yourfriends and family around the world to let them know what’s goingon in Braunstone. http://issuu.com/b-alert/docs

Why Not WoW?Dear AlertWould any of you ladies out there like to joinour fun loving group, to go on trips likegarden centres, lunches out and anythingelse you would like to do. We are based atCort Crescent Community Centre and wemeet Thursdays between 12 noon & 3.00 pm.Sometimes we just sit and have a coffee anda natter or play games and quizzes.So if you are 40 or over why not drop in andsee what we are about. All we asked for isjust £1 per week towards tea, coffee andbiscuits. If you are interested contactWoW (Women of Wisdom) 07769 315 184.

Eileen

Sun & Sand

Son in sand

From Rochelle

Alan’s free guitar lessons

Where did you get that hat?

Where in Braunstone?

Hats: serenityecocraft@gmail.com 07711 830 026

Guitar lessons:Al.Sansome@hotmail.co.uk 07752 624 945Umbrellas from 3M

Production team;Paddy McCullough, Anne Short, Ali Gamble

Ably assisted by the A-Team(Linda Castree, Eileen Gollings, Lizzie Gregory, Antonia

Stagg, Lucie Trigg, Joy Vincent)Write, or send pictures, to

Braunstone Alert, 45 Wellinger Way, LE3 1RG.E-mail anne.short@b-inspired.org.uk

Printed by Joseph A. Ball (printers) Ltd.We make every effort to ensure that information isaccurate and up to date at the time of publication

ü Voice Coachingü Singingü Performance

Ring Barry & Maria0116 229 9727

2 Westover RoadLeicester Forest EastLeicester LE3 3DT

0116 289 660824 Hour Service

PAUL PENDER AND SON

Stone Masonry ServicesCateringBuds Floral Designs

Independent Funeral Directors

p.penderandson@btconnect.com

Thompson Catering

Quality Mobile Cateringfor Outdoor Events

Garden Parties, Birthdays, Shows, Fetes etc

Call 07733 078 527

“3rd Generation of Mobile Caterers”

Reel History of BritainBraunstone History Group will be at

The BBC Reel History eventin Humberstone Gate.10.00 am to 5.00 pm

Friday 30th Sept & Saturday 1st OctCome and find out about local history

through old films and share your memories

MAZZIE’S LUNCH CLUB

Making healthy choices easierTel: 0116 225 2836 Email: FAB@lcchs.nhs.uk

Website: www.leicestercity.nhs.uk/fab

Wellinger Way Rail SaleClothes, Books,

Games, Posters, bric-a-brac

Wednesdays 2.30 -4.00pm

If you have any of theseitems that you don’t

need we’ll take them offyour hands

Call into45 Wellinger Way